Hansen happy to be in Pittsburgh

Saturday

Aug 23, 2008 at 12:01 AM

Craig Hansen was enjoying a day off at his Boston home on July 31, playing ping-pong with his brother while ESPN was on in the background.

The relief pitcher happened to take a look at the crawl on the bottom of the television screen when he saw the most shocking news: He had been sent from the Boston Red Sox to the Pittsburgh Pirates as part of a three-team trade.

“I just kind of took a step back for a second and tried to let it all sink in,” Hansen said. “It wasn’t the best way to find out you had been traded for the first time in your career. I thought the Red Sox would have at least called me first. I just couldn’t believe I read about it on the television.”

Now that the initial shock has worn off, the 24-year-old is beginning to settle into the Pirates’ bullpen.

“I really like it here,” Hansen said. “I loved playing for Boston, but it was also a veteran team. Here, there are a lot of young guys and we’re all going to try to grow together into a good team. I like that. It’s going to be a challenge but I also think it can be a lot of fun.”

Hansen was the Red Sox’s first-round draft pick in 2005 from St. John’s and became the first player in franchise history to make his major-league debut in the same year in which he was drafted. Hansen also spent part of the 2006 and 2008 seasons with the Red Sox but never got a foothold on a major-league job as he went 3-5 with two saves and a 6.15 ERA in 74 games.

The Pirates, though, were quite happy to get the right-hander with a fastball that reaches 98 mph and a wicked slider.

“He has a great arm and we believe he has the potential to pitch at the back end of a major-league bullpen, perhaps even close,” Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said. “He was working on some adjustments before we traded for him to gain command of his pitches and he could be an extremely effective pitcher if he throws strikes consistently.”

Hansen believes his best days are ahead of him and the New York native relishes the idea of pitching in short relief.

“I was a closer in college and I’ve been a relief pitcher my entire professional career,” Hansen said. “It really fits my personality. I’m a New Yorker and I don’t have a lot of patience. I want the ball with the game on the line and go right after hitters. It’s fun. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”

JOHN PERROTTO GOES INSIDE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL EVERY WEEK. FOR MORE, SEE SUNDAY’S EDITIONS OF THE TIMES.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.